This book was a delightful debut novel of personal growth, romance, and a bit of magic along the way.

Gemma is reeling from her fresh breakup and a night fueled by alcohol ends with her performing a love-erasing spell with her aunt and sister. Much to her surprise, it works in an unexpected way and she lands in an alternate timeline. In that timeline she gets to examine multiple “what ifs” from the past four years of choices, one of those being with her best friend Dax, who doesn’t know her in this timeline. Gemma gets a chance to see what her life might be like if she takes some risks. However, some of her choices lead to changing the lives of those she loves, and she has to decide if it’s worth staying or finding her way back ‘home’ when the time comes.

I thought this was a great turn on a time slip story. Gemma had a lot to figure out about herself. A lot of her self-examinations were things I think a lot of people can relate to. ‘Did I choose this route because it felt right or because it felt safe?’ being the biggest question she faces in multiple aspects of her life. She also had the opportunity to examine her relationships, especially with her sister. They have a strong bond in both universes, but in her alternate one, her eyes are opened to how much she may be taking her sister’s support for granted. I was happy to see Gemma come to that realization, because it seemed like she had a habit of leaning heavily on everyone else for support without questioning what they might need in return. The alternate timeline relationship with Dax was lovely, too. Their chemistry was palpable and the progression of their relationship felt natural. However, as best I can say without spoiling anything, I found myself wishing I knew for sure they were in the same permanent timeline before they *fully* progressed the relationship. I did also want more time with them in the “real” timeline. I loved them together, and I never doubted Gemma’s love for Dax in either time. The way she ultimately shows it is heartwarming. Without saying if she stays or goes back, I can say Gemma definitely follows through with the things she learns from the chance to explore her “what ifs” and brings the book to a satisfying conclusion.

Thank you for this digital ARC copy of This Spells Love. I rated this book a 4/5 stars. I will admit that friends to lovers is not my favorite trope but this book was so well written and cute that i almost forgot about that. The book follows Gemma who has just gone through a breakup and after one two many margaritas performs a spell to forget her ex but ends up turning her world upside down. Gemma was a likable main character that i was rooting for and Dax was the sweet dreamy best friend everyone wants. I genuinely thought this perfectly fit the rom com mold and would be the perfect book to be made into a movie. i really had fun time reading it!

Thank you so much Random House and Netgalley for this awesome ARC!

There was so much I loved about this story. First of all, friends to lovers is a trope close to my heart since that is kind of my story. I found the way this friendship developed and grew into more to be more believable then it often is, even if there was some fantastical elements (like multi-dimension universe type stuff).

I did find it a little slow to start out, but once Gemma hit the new timeline I found myself on the edge of my seat wondering how things would go, and especially wanting to know if she'd stay in the new reality or go back to the original.

I absolutely loved how Dax always checked in with her when they started getting physical. Even after making out for a while he'd check to make sure it was still OK or to see whether she wanted to keep going etc. And it was continuous and just so nicely done. I loved that.

Gemma started out a little self-centered and needy, but her character arc was excellent.

A fun and unique friends go lovers story, with a great supporting cast.

I would like to say that my review isn't all that fair because after starting the book I understood it was a bit fantasy/magically which I have never read and there not tropes I usually go for. I picked this because of the paranormal part not seeing it was also fantasy. So I wasn't surprised that it wasn't something I enjoyed very much. However being that, that's not normally something a read I loved the idea and plot of the story. Who wouldn't want a spell that can erase their exboyfriend lol. I enjoyed the fast on your toes steamy novel. It was funny and heartwarming I think if you enjoy fantasy and witchy vibes this is a book for you! Who does love a friends to lovers its always a good trope!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book was a very cute, easy read. It had very likable characters. I loved the time traveling, history changing aspect. I feel like we all have those moments that we want to go back and change. But I feel like this book demonstrates while we shouldn't.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 — imagine being able to live out an alternate reality of your life where you’re not afraid to make huge life altering changes. That’s exactly what happens to Gemma when she accidentally does a magic spell and transports into an alternate reality.

I really enjoyed most of this book; it was a really cute and easy read. Normally I’m not a huge fan of a predictable story, but I actually really enjoyed the banter between characters making it a bit more unique than other time skip books. At one point the author “breaks the 4th wall” which I honestly loved. I also really loved Dax’s character. He was the sweetest puppy of a human.

The things that made me knock down a few stars is that I really just did not like Gemma in the alternate universe. She was extremely selfish and expected everyone around her to drop everything that they were doing to help her at all times.
I also did not enjoy any of the open door scenes or how they were written. Mainly because the descriptions were really clunky and I honestly felt they didn’t need as many scenes as it had (and I love smut, just these seemed forced). I physically cringed when Gemma would not stop bringing up the “perfect penis” it was overkill when she mentioned it twice but I’m pretty sure she mentions it literally 4 times.

Overall I think a lot of readers will enjoy this quick and easy read.

This was a easy read -- a la When Harry Met Sally in a time-traveling/alternate universe. The characters were likeable (would have liked more on the whimsical Aunt!) and the relationship between Gemma and her sister Kiersten was (co-dependently) sweet. I cheered for Dax and Gemma -- though the most intriguing and fun parts were the curling descriptions! 3.5 stars, rounded to 4. Thanks to @PenguinRandom and the author for the ARC and the opportunity to share my thoughts.

This was a case of it’s not you, it’s me.
I honestly didn’t enjoy this book, and I kind of wish I never requested it, because I felt like I skimmed through most of it and it just wasn’t for me. The story didn’t connect with me, the characters I didn’t really care for. Yeah this was disappointing. The cover is super cool though.

This was just a good read for the soul tbh. Gemma is so relatable and watching her navigate through the story, realizing what she’s been over looking in her life makes you want to take a step back and look at yours. Dax is just swoonworthy, and Kiersten and Aunt Livi are also amazing. I absolutely loved this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the advanced E-arc.

This Spells Love follows Gemma who’s four year relationship has ended and in an attempt to forget her sorrows and after a few good drinks in she goes along with her aunt’s plan to do a love cleanse in order to forget that she even met her ex.

Upon waking up the next morning though predictable loving Gemma is thrust into the an alternate reality where not only did she erase her ex from her life but also her always dependable best friend Dax.

Gemma soon learns what life might look like if she finally took some big chances and realizes just how important Dax is to her life.

Overall even though I found the pacing to be off around mid-way through and the main characters to be a bit wooden at times, this is a fun romance read with a great cast of supporting characters.

3.5 stars

Absolutely delightful rom com with a magical realism bent (it feels more like that than, say, supernatural.) In a pretty standard romance setup a woman contemplates making the jump from best friends to lovers, but is reluctant to do so because it might ruin everything. It's pretty clear to the reader that the man, Dax, would be onboard with changing from platonic to romantic. A kooky aunt and harried sister are pretty standard characters-the aunt being the one who leads them to the spell that leads to her waking up in a reality where they can try out being lovers. So several standard elements and yet this did NOT feel stale or boring. I loved that it was Canadian and they went curling. I loved the small businesses. It was much steamier than I anticipated it being (much!!) but that was fine. I'll definitely recommend this to my friends who read romance.

I loved seeing the main character Gemma grow as a person throughout the book. Her and Dax’s friendship was really special and I’m always a fan of friends to lovers.

This book was written beautifully. When I tell you I was engulfed the entire time!!!!

I absolutely loved getting to know Gemma and Dax in every universe.

Gemma just got out of a dead end relationship and does some accidental spell work and gets thrown into an alternate universe where her best friend doesn’t even know who she is. In order to get home, that best friend, Dax, has to kiss her.
Their evolution to strangers, to friends, to lovers was exquisite. Their love stood the test of inter dimensional travel, and if that doesn’t pull you heart strings…. What will?

“Goodnight, Dax McGuire,” I call to him. “Goodnight, Gemma McGuire,” he calls back. “Slip of the tongue?” He shrugs and smiles. “Something like that.”

-best friends to strangers (?) to lovers, alternate reality, so many lovable characters
-wishing for chance at a do-over results in a spell gone very wrong 🪄💫
-in the other timeline, Dax has no recollection of Gemma at all
-such a refreshing read and I was cheering for them all the way 🩷
-the mentions of Canadian things were the icing on the cake 🤭
-thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC 🫶🏻

4.3⭐️

This Spells Love is a charming little dose of magic, charm, and love... with some great characters. I love the idea of second chances/themes on playing with time and this book explores those themes in a fun way that really allows us to think about those other relationships in our lives that matter and how chances can always open up when we allow ourselves to see them. Kate Robb's book is filled with little hidden gems of story, a great set of characters in Gemma and Dax (really liked Dax and I like a well developed male character in a romance), and a fun plot that is just right for the magical vibes I want during the holiday season (this comes out in Dec and I think will be a most welcome magic spirit of the season read).
If you love romance and charm in the winter months... this is a good one to preorder or make a gift to someone for some winter break reading!

This was a really cute and fun read! Who among us hasn’t wanted to go back in time and change things? Gemma is fresh off a break up with her long time boyfriend Stuart. She meets up with her sister, aunt, and her best friend, Dax. They perform a spell to help Gemma go back and forget Stuart. The spell works, but with some unintended consequences. Her BFF, Dax, doesn’t remember her in the new parallel universe and things are a bit off. Gemma begins to work out some feelings towards Dax and career dreams she wasn’t expecting. Dax is really sweet and I enjoyed seeing them fall for each other. You have to suspend belief a bit, but that’s okay. It was the perfect light and fun summer read.

This Spells Love is an adorable romcom infused with magic, charm, spice, and a love story about sisters. Katie Robb delivered 13 Going on 30 vibes in her friends to lovers debut novel that takes the FMC on a magical journey to answer the question of “what if she’d never met her ex.”

Gemma and Dax were likable and easy to love, but the entire cast of characters will charm your socks off and the cozy small town vibes felt like a cross between Stars Hollow and Schitt’s Creek… an odd pairing, but I couldn’t help picturing Wilde Beauty as Rose Apothecary with its black and white, clean beauty aesthetic.

The story as a whole felt surface level (think Hallmark) and the ending was wrapped up too quickly - I wish there had been more focus on the Wilde sisters in the last few chapters. And while Gemma and Dax had been friends for years, their budding relationship in the alternate reality was too insta love for me. Although, the sexy curling scene was hilariously executed and might have been my favorite.

Overall, this was a cute story and I can see lots of readers enjoying this charming, magical romance.

3.5 stars!

4.5 stars! I loved this book so much more than I thought it would and found myself gushing and giddy right alongside Gemma! If you are looking for friends turned to lovers, second chance romance, dream chasing, parallel universe this is the book for you!

I loved this sweet story! When I’m able to consume 300+ pages in less than 12 hours, I know it’s a good one.

Things I loved: sweet sister bonds, alternate dimensions, girl bossing (e.g. career aspiration), friends to lovers (but he’s loved her all along) trope!!!

Things I disliked/wanted more from: the “rip in the space time continuum” plot line - to a reader, this felt very urgent but it felt like G still waffled on what to do until the end.

**There was half a page missing on the advance copy at the end of chapter 13 - story just cuts and skips to ch 14**

Wouldn't it be great to forget your ex? That is Gemma's wish after she breaks up with her longterm boyfriend. A night of margaritas with Gemma's aunt, sister and best guy friend ends in a spell that has her falling asleep and waking up in an alternate universe where she hasn't dated Stuart, but also is not best friends with Dax. Be careful what you wish for, Gemma realizes she needs things to go back to normal before the next full moon. As she works to put the pieces back together, she realizes maybe her and Dax should be more than friends.

Such a fun book to read, I loved the alternate universe concept as one decision can change the entire trajectory of your life. Definitely recommend!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!